17 réponses à ce sujet

[westiex9]

Rogue Warden: The Saga of Argus Grayson

Argus Grayson is the third commander to lead Ferelden’s Grey Wardens since their return to the kingdom after 200 years in exile. Grayson is living in exile in Amaranthine having lost favour with Queen Fiona following his murder of a prominent Orlesian Diplomat, a murder which resulted in the death of his lover when the queen offered her to the Orlesian’s as a scapegoat.

But now something stirs on the foreboding isle of Brandel’s reach and Grayson will have to muster all his strength if he is to prevent the dark schemes of a cunning nemesis from destroying the land he is sworn to protect.

Cast

Argus Grayson- Third Commander of the Grey since the Order’s return from exile to Ferelden, Secretly disgraced in the eyes of the Queen, Publicly acknowledged as a hero of the nation.

Lorick Tegrane- Master of the Vigil’s hounds and former ash warrior, a veteran of the Fifth blight and survivor of Ostagar.

Meredith Harrow- a Knight Errant from dragon’s peak bannorn who has only recently taken her joining, related to a minor noble family in Northen Ferelden.  

Jarkka Helmi- a Grey Warden Recruit from the Ancient Dwarven Noble house Helmi, Seeks to bring further glory to House Helmi following their successful reclaiming of Kal Hirol by joining the Grey wardens.  

The Spurned- A renegade Disciple who chose to remain on the surface after both the Mother and Architect were slain by Queen Fiona

Chapter 1: The Unwelcome Darkness

Brandels reach, the only time the frigid northern isle ever became a topic in Amaranthine was when discussing its foul weather, mad inhabitants or obsession with sheep farming and fishing, it was as far from civilisation as anyone in Ferelden could imagine, only slightly more civilised then the kocari wilds by some folks reckoning.

Arran called this strange isle home, the few villages that dotted its weatherbeaten coast had grown up around the farming of hardy island sheep and the collecting of sal****er fish, it was a small and rough place to live; only the tough children lived much past childbirth, assuming they didn’t come out of the womb stillborn or malformed.

Arran wandered down the winding hill path that marked the boundry between the village and its sparse grazing fields with weary steps, it had been a long day and Arran was eager to get home and rest by the hearth fire, snatching a brief moment of comfort from a day filled with bleak hardship.

Arran wondered if his wife was feeling any better, she had been stricken with the same fever that had left nearly half the village bedridden, they all muttered the same delirious words “it calls” they said, Arran dismissed this as fever dreams, but deep down he knew normal fevers did not create the same delusions in all sufferers.

Truth be told it wasn’t even the fever that had been bothering Arran the most, many strange things had been occurring recently, sheep going missing only to be found days later with huge tear marks, and worse still rumours abounded that something was talking the inner moors, apparently a priest from the local chantry retreat had gone missing whilst travelling to another coastal village.

Arran tried not to think about the weird goings on as he descended from the hill towards the village, his nana would have the fish stew on the stove by now, he tried to think about that instead. But as he reached the bottom of the hill he noticed something was wrong, old Luke the crippled man who kept watch at the village gate wasn’t at his usual post, and all the torches in the village were out.

 A breeze blew across the coast, and Arran realized he was alone, the evening darkness only adding to his unease, Arran forced himself to keep moving towards the village, his wife and family would be waiting for him, the lights going out must have been a mere fluke coincidence, strong wind perhaps.

As Arran walked into the village square the feeling of loneliness turned to one of fear, there was no one else around, and the door to his hut was open and swinging open and closed in the wind, he moved towards his house and strode inside, the fire was long dead and his family was nowhere to be seen.

Arran took some firewood from the basket and lit the kindling with a few taps of the stones he kept for sparks, the fire barely lit the room and shadows still danced around the empty huts roof, Arran heard something, a clanking noise, he turned to see something standing in the doorway staring at him, its face covered by shadow.

Arran soiled himself as he saw the telltale signs of his doom, the elongated fingers, the soulless eyes and those teeth contorted into a permanent smile that could chill the very soul with its presence, Arran tried to scream as the figure drew closer but he had no breath so great was his terror.


As the creature moved towards him he scrambled backwards, falling on his backside as he scrambled towards the back of the hut, he hit the wall with a thud, nowhere left to run from the horror pursuing him. As the creature stood over him it let out a horrific chuckle, Arran remembered the stories Nana used to tell him when he misbehaved, about the things that stalked the night and carried off misbehaving children, he used to tell himself they were just stories, but he had been wrong. As the vile hands reached towards his face he finally found the voice to scream.

*************************************************************************************

Argus Grayson awoke in sweat, his quarter’s icy cold despite the river running down his chest and back, the dreams had been getting worse lately, usually he could block them out but not recently.

It was only a few months since the events in the south, a rogue band of Darkspawn had nearly destroyed the alliance between the Dalish and Ferelden, their leader had escaped and that disturbed Grayson the most, a sentient Darkspawn wandering Ferelden unchecked.

As Grayson rose from his bed he wondered how many more of those horrors might still wander the dark corners of Thedas, the disciples were supposed to have all fled underground, but here there was one of them who had not followed its brothers into exile.

Grayson tried to ignore his dark musings and concentrate on getting ready, another day had dawned on Vigil’s keep, inspections needed to be made, and mistress Woolsey would almost certainly try to take Argus to task over his lack of interest in the keep’s budget figures, she never tired of reminding him that the order had enjoyed a Surplus of funds during Queen Fiona’s tenure as Commander.

Queen Fiona Cousland, Teacher, Ruler, Destroyer, she had always had a soft spot for Grayson, he was her star pupil and first choice of replacement, and yet he had lost that soft spot when he had killed an Orlesian Diplomat in a drunken rage, he had lost his lover who had been provided as a scapegoat and his favour with the queen as well. Fiona had ordered him to never return to Denerim, to rot in amaranthine, she had not enjoyed giving him that order.

And so he had remained away from Denerim, the memories there were too hurtful anyway, but exile during peacetime was proving more difficult then Grayson had anticipated, without Darkspawn to fight Grayson found himself engaging in pointless drills and paperwork to pass the time, he sometimes even missed the blight and the Darkspawn, they were his purpose for existence after all.

But today seemed different, instinct told Argus something was afoot, well the heavy knock on his door helped as well.

“Commander its Meredith Harrow, I have a report!”  Meredith Harrow, the young knight from Dragon’s peak, she had taken her joining only months ago and was already proving a distinguished member of the order

“Come in” Argus said pulling on a shirt to hide his shoddy morning state

The door creaked open to reveal a young dark haired woman in half plate, Meredith Harrow, her grey eyes and high boned face adding a stern grace and beauty to her presence, she entered and saluted, Argus tried not to laugh to himself at the notion of a well presented knight saluting to someone who looked like he had been on an all night bender with south reach ale.

“What is this report you have for me?” Argus asked

“Some of our coastal patrols found a small fishing boat washed up near amaranthine, it has two bodies inside,
they may be tainted” Meredith said in a business like tone

“I’ll need to take a look myself” Argus replied moving towards his armoire

“Of course sir, Jarkka Helmi is already on the scene and will be inspecting the bodies shortly” Harrow said in a stiff but helpful tone, even wardens get nervous

“Very well I’ll be ready shortly” Argus replied taking his armour from the armoire and placing it on the bed

Meredith saluted and left the Commander to change, he moved to the mirror and stared into the polished silver, something stared back

“The Taint spreading again? Awful slack for commander of the Grey Argus” the voice in his head said with a mocking laugh

“Shut up!” Argus said slamming his fist on the table, he blocked out the image and went back to dressing himself, the dark voice had been less active since his lover Alvera had been executed but lately it had been making its presence known once more, Argus resolved to ignore it as best he could, he had a job to do and madness had already cost him everything once.
 
 

Modifié par westiex9, 11 juin 2010 - 02:52 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Oh westiex! As usual you come out swinging! LOVE this! You painted such a creepy picture of the village, I could just see it. And you have such a talent for painting figures both as both angels and devils in themselves; like you do with Argus. Nicely done! I can't wait for more!

[Slim Warden]

Argus, I do enjoy his character, and I'm pleased he's getting his own story to be fleshed out.

[westiex9]

Thanks guys! ill have more for you soon

[Gilgamesh1138]

WOOT! *does happy dance of sublime joy*

[westiex9]

Chapter 2: Tainted remains

Argus and Harrow rode down the coast towards the site of Jarkka’s grim discovery, the beach was covered in a thin layer of mist as the waves crashed against it and almost everyone not in armour was soaked, Jarkka sat on
an exposed rock sharpening his axe with a whetstone.

Argus dismounted from his horse as a Grey warden held the reins and strode over to the beached fishing boat, his armour clanking as he walked, Jarkka stood up and walked towards Argus pointing to the two bodies wrapped in shrouds next to the boat

“There were two of them” Jarkka said pulling back the shroud to reveal the bodies of a man and woman, they both showed signs of the taint

“Any idea where they came from?” Argus asked kneeling by the man’s corpse

“The men who found the boat said it might have come from the isles, Brandel’s reach probably” Jarkka replied staring at the waves

“Harrow, come here, you need to see this” Argus said motioning Meredith over to his side

“Makers Breath! What happened to them” she exclaimed in shock

The two bodies were bloated from days at sea, their eyes were darkened by the onset of the taint and their bodies had become pale and emaciated as the Darkspawn corruption filled them, Meredith struggled visibly not to be sick, even Argus had to admit that this was one of the nastier cases of Taint he’d seen, and he’d been around since the blight.

“The taint Meredith, this is it at its worst, anyone who comes into contact with the Darkspawn is liable to get it and theres no cure save becoming a Grey warden, and even thats only a temporary solution” Argus said in a gentle tone, this was a nasty lesson, but she’d see worse before her time was done

"Ah Argus! look little tainted innocents, do you feel no guilt that you could do nothing to help them? has you heart become so cold to the suffering of men? thats right Argus ignore that nagging voice called conscience, become the pupeteer sending young ones to their deaths, Harrow looks a lot like Alvera doesn't she hehe!!" the dark voice ranted in the dark reaches of Argus's mind, Argus struggled to ignore its suggestions and focused as best he could, when would this creature desert him? would it ever be gone?

“Ah! Argus! Stop scaring the lass with your morbid lectures, Harrow just remember to stick the fiends before they stick you” Jarkka said with a chuckle, Argus was glad for Jarkka's humour it made a good distraction from the mocking voice in his head.

Jarkka Helmi was without a doubt the most fearless dwarf ever to partake of the joining, he hailed from the city of Orzammar and was the nephew of none other than Lady Helmi herself, he spent his youth battling the Darkspawn and never desired any other task in life, when House Helmi reclaimed Kal Hirol Jarkka joined the wardens knowing he would have the chance to win even greater glory for his house.

Jarkka was quick to laughter and usually the least serious of the wardens under Argus’s command, he was a rival with Oghren for most popular warden, and often won that contest because of his sense of hygiene and lack of lecherous moments.

“Charming” Harrow said with a hand over her mouth

“So what’s our next move commander?” Jarkka asked excitedly

“Get the magi to take blood samples, and then give these bodies a proper cremation” Argus said rising to his feet

“And the possibility of Darkspawn in the isles what about that?” Harrow asked with an impatient look, the rookie was eager for action

“Tell the navy I want all travel to and from the isles cut until I declare it safe, prepare the galley for a journey and one last thing....tell Lorick to bring his hounds Harrow, we are going on a hunt” Argus said mounting his horse and riding off


“I really wish he wouldn’t do that” Jarkka said shaking his head

***********************************************************************************************

The spurned surveyed his new laboratory with approval, the mounds of long dead chieftains were the perfect spot to conceal his experiments, none of the islands sparse population came here willingly due to the old legends of ghosts and demons.

The villagers acquired from the Spurned’s last raid were proving useful subjects, the women were already beginning to show signs of mutation into broodmothers and would be all the Spurned needed to build a new horde, the men meanwhile were serving as test subjects in his attempts to craft a more lethal version of the taint from existing strains of Darkspawn, so far his results were showing promise.

The spurned had always been different from other disciples born into the world, he had been awakened shortly after the First and had grown to hate the mother and the architect almost immediately, he had hated the Mother for her madness and willingness to submit to the Old gods and he had hated the Architect for his idiotic attempts to bargain with the surface dwellers. The spurned had always lived apart from the other disciples and came to be known as the Spurned because of this, he alone had remained on the surface when all others had fled beneath the ground once more.

The Spurned had long ago decided that the un-tainted were inferior and unworthy of existence, when the Mother and Architect were destroyed he finally had an opportunity to plot his own schemes, he realised that the taint was the key to victory, with a plague he could weaken the entire continent and use his hordes to create a dark new order, a world filled with the taint.

And so he busied himself birthing a new taint to sweep aside the Surfacers and an army to inherit their lands, the spurned’s plans were coming close to fruition, all he needed was a little more time and then he would have the means to conquer to known world. The spurned grinned as only a Hurlock can grin, soon he would rule over the world and usurp the mantle from the Old Gods, all this could be done with the blood of innocents.

Modifié par westiex9, 14 juin 2010 - 10:22 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Oh chilling! westie you give me the shivers! Love Helmi! hehe.

[westiex9]

Chapter 3: Enhanced

The Gale, the orders personal warship rocked back and forth as it navigated across the icy and unpredictable waters of the Amaranthine Ocean, Grayson lay in his quarters in a deep slumber. His unconscious mind raced with a chaotic series of memories before finally settling on one dark chapter in his life.

“You were her first, her star pupil, her prized pet, her perfect creation but you proved her wrong didn’t you Grayson” The Dark voice muttered in the background, its mocking tone filling Argus with rage

The memory filled his mind, Soldiers peak, 9:32 Dragon, a cold morning filled with disturbing revelations.

Grayson had been younger then, his scars, flaws and struggles had been those of a man shaped his entire life by war and service, a child of Harold Grayson could expect little else. Grayson had lost his father early in life, his father had been slain whilst distracting the Orlesian’s long enough for his Teryn to escape and live on, and it had made him a legend in the eyes of the people.

Harold Grayson’s death had been a distant sort of affair for his young son, Grayson was too young to understand most of it, one day his father had been a living being who ruffled his hair when home and sent letters when he wasn’t, the next he was gone and in his place where letters from other more important men and friends and strangers who ruffled his hair and said kind words.

As Grayson grew older the absence of a father became more painful, other children had father’s with flaws and merits, beings of flesh and blood who walked amongst them and who could be called out to by name, Argus grew up in a quiet and near empty bannorn household, his mother and a few tutors forming his home life, to Argus his father was a distant and lionized figure, a man whose flaws and shortcomings in life were erased. Gone was Harold Grayson who enjoyed fishing and drank too much at Harvest festivals, gone was the man who loved and hated, in his place was a static and cold image of a martyred hero who embodied every stoicism and virtue natural to Ferelden, a Gargoyle like figure who seemed to watch Argus constantly with a disapproving eye, Grayson came to despise the legacy of his father, one which wedged him into soldiering and obliged him to mimic his father’s every action.

Grayson grew up in his father’s shadow and physical scars soon accompanied the mental ones, fights at school produced broken bones, his service in the civil war on the Bannorn side left his chest scarred by arrow punctures, the battle of Denerim gifted him with a broken limb that healed but ached in winter constantly and at Vigil’s keep he had lost sight in one eye as he earned a great scar down his right eyebrow defending a breach for over two hours during against Darkspawn.

But Grayson triumphed always, men loved him for his deeds on the battlefield, women lusted after him, the crowds cheered and the medals were pinned upon his chest constantly, but it all felt hollow and without warmth, every victory was secretly unfulfilling and the Dark voice grew with each year taunting Argus at every turn.

It had been during his years in the Silver order that he had been discovered by Queen Fiona during her tenure as Commander of the Grey, she had called for volunteers from amongst the Silver Orders ranks, and he had accepted, perhaps as much out of a desire to find a quick death than anything else. The joining was after all famously dangerous, the residents of Vigil’s keep knew that much.

But he had survived all the gruelling tests, all the trials and strange rituals, he had drunk from the tainted cup and lived, the dark dreams and corrupted substances unable to provide him with the death he craved. And so it came as little surprise that the Queen chose him early on to succeed her as commander, the year of tutelage and instruction transforming him into her star pupil, she had marvelled at his tactical ability, his leadership and his humility, he had excelled in every required field.

And so she had chosen him, taken him under her wing, and groomed him to be the greatest commander of the grey since Asturian. She deemed him ready after a year, and so she took him to the soldier’s peak, a darkened mount upon which the old Wardens had met their end at the hands of the butcher king Arland. And there she had led him into a twisting abyss and whispered dark truths to him.

“Where are we?” he had asked staring with his single working eye at the darkened passages they strode through

“They call this place Soldiers peak, these dungeons and indeed this entire fortress was centuries ago, and it houses many forgotten secrets” she had said her eyes always focused on the darkness in front

“Why are we in this deserted fortress my Queen? Surely we have more important places to be” he had protested unsure why they had come to this seemingly ruined keep

“Two years ago I walked these darkened halls and met a stranger who should not have been” she said vaguely

“What do you mean?” Argus had asked confused by her cryptic response

“He was a Warden like you and I, but he had used the powers of blood to prolong his life, and to resist the taint, he told us of his research and we partook of it” she said without stopping in her unceasing stride

“You found a cure for the taint?” Argus asked amazed

“No, we found a means to delay its victory” she said stopping at an ancient door and opening it, the door opened its rusted hinges screeching from their lack of oil

“How can this be? And why tell me this” Argus had asked disturbed not by the use of blood magic, but by the secrecy surrounding their arrival in this place

“You are to be my successor Argus, and my secrets will one day be yours, as will be my legacies and my curses” she said with a grim tone

And so it had begun to sink in, he was to be the next commander, and he was like all wardens, more so then any others, to become privy to secrets few should ever know and that fewer still would ever desire to.

“What happened to this man?” Argus asked

“I spared him despite his horrid betrayals, his research I allowed to continue, providing him with secrecy and enough men already doomed to hang for him to create a means to fight the taint” she replied pointing to the dusty alchemical vials and equipment that filled the dungeon’s ancient rooms

“These early experiments yielded an alchemical vial, one I and Alistair partook of, it expanded our lifespan by two-maybe three decades, but we were already tainted by the joining and so its effects could only ever be limited” she said with a business like tone

“What went on in this place?” Argus exclaimed seeing the tables with restraints attached

“Despite his somewhat horrific character I realized he had something to offer us, a means to improve the joining, we wardens are expected to maintain a vigil and yet we die so quickly, I decided to use hi research to remedy this problem” she said pointing to the sketches and pictures covering the walls, they concerned alchemical texts and anatomy all written in Tevinter or Dwarven language

“I provided him with convicts and he used countless elixirs and concoctions upon them in an attempt to produce a better joining, most died, many in states of madness and agony, but their deaths provided us with something truly useful” she said musing over the horrors unleashed in the dark bowels of the ancient fortress

“What were the results?” Argus asked

“He discovered a means not to improve the joining but to improve the resistance of those who underwent it, while I and Alistair gained only crude enhancements, you and your volunteers would become truly improved” she said looking at him for the first time

Suddenly it had made sense, the strange tasting food and drink, the physical testing, the hours of preparation over months leading to the joining, it had all been a preparation for the joining effects, a means to enhance resistance to the taint.

“You mean to tell me.....” Argus had said trailing off

“Yes Argus, your entire unit was enhanced upon recruitment into the Wardens, we filled your food and drink with alchemical reagents, we put you through gruelling training sessions, and the result was nearly double the lifespan of a normal Grey Warden with fewer deaths” she had said revealing her modification of recruits

“And the consequences?” he had asked knowing such things could not have been discovered without cost

“the deaths of many men, all save the volunteers doomed to die already, and the sparing of a repugnant man, the names of the dead are all chiselled into that wall even the convicted ones” Fiona said pointing to a stone tablet in the rooms corner

“Will this research be shared with the other nations and their wardens?” he had asked thinking of the implications

“not immediately Argus, this research is to be used to fight the Darkspawn, but the wardens in Orlais and the Anderfels are too mired in politics currently, the Anderfel wardens seem more interested in ruling in their king’s stead then combating the blight, until I am certain they can be trusted this stays in Ferelden” she had said darkly

“You spoke of Volunteers? Who” he asked curious

“I sent out a call for volunteers for a dangerous and potentially lethal project, it was an attempt to create a substance that civilians could consume to halt the spread of the taint and eliminate the creation of Ghouls” Fiona said pointing to the stone tablet again

“What happened, did you succeed?” Argus had asked hoping that she would say yes

“Nine out of the ten subjects died, only Lorick Tegrane survived and he was a fluke” she said uttering the name of the Vigil’s hound master

“Tegrane? But he is not Warden surely!” Argus had exclaimed in surprise

“he is something else, we gave the subjects weakened does and used a weaker version of the same treatments we used on you, the results were catastrophic, most died slowly as their bodies rejected the reagents and the taint spread, only Lorick survived” Fiona replied Grimly

“Why Lorick?” Argus asked

 “His body was able to resist the taint longer than most, and the alchemical substances succeeded in controlling it, in short he has limited immunity and longer lifespan, but he can still be tainted and his case is unique” she replied

“So it was too costly to continue?” Argus asked confused as to why such valuable research had been scrapped

“It proved too lethal to save the countless innocents it was intended to help, releasing it to the masses would have done more harm than good, so I returned Lorick to active duty and he swore to remain silent” Fiona said, even though the research was dark the queen had held to her ethics, only those who volunteered or who were already dead would be given over to the taint.

“So this is to be the new joining” Argus said pondering his future role

“This is the new joining and you are the new Wardens, your staff has all been briefed, the enhancements will serve as our new model of recruitment” she had said finishing


And so a new breed of Wardens had been created, with Argus at their head, but their perfect leader had possessed an imperfect soul, and the taint was not the only corruption that lingered within. Argus had kept the dark secret to himself even after his disgrace, his loyalty was always to his queen and so the enhancements continued every time a warden was recruited. An entire generation of new warden had been birthed in that Darkened room, their genesis purchased with the lives of the condemned.


The Spurned stared at the bubbling vial of ichor with an elated grin, success was close! He could sense the raw power in this new strain of taint but it needed something more to become the truly infectious killer that the Spurned would need to destroy the Surfacers, it needed the blood of Wardens, more specifically the blood the Wardens he had fought at Ostagar only recently.

The Spurned had sensed the altered taint in their veins and he knew they were something different from the normal Warden, they were more resistant to the taint then any he had sensed, if he could acquire their blood and mix it with his new taint he could create the perfect weapon, improved Ghouls able to live long enough to carry their taint to the human lands and spread it.

In the darkness of the mound maddened laughter filled the air, the spurned grinned wickedly, a brood mother was finally being born and she was already feasting on the flesh of her former kind with savage abandon,  The spurned’s plans were coming to fruition, soon more would be created and their mutated forms would birth and army.


The spurned stared at his map, one pilfered from a village that he had raided earlier, he scanned its crude surface and spotted a site he had yet to visit, the hollow Landing a small village built around a chantry retreat, its populace would not be difficult to catch and they would provide him with fresh subjects, he stared at the decaying pile of tainted husks lining the side of the lab, so many rejects to create perfection, and still more untainted flesh would be needed.  


“Commander we’ve arrived” Jarkka yelled knocking on the door of his cabin with a loud bang, Argus woke and slid out of his bed with a groggy feeling, he never slept well on sea voyages and he seldom woke feeling refreshed from them.

Argus quickly strapped on his armour and walked out of his cabin and onto the deck, Harrow, Lorick and Jarkka were present as he arrived and they saluted as he walked up to them, Lorick had been true to his word and gathered a pack of fierce mabari ready for the hunt, including his own fearsome companion the war dog Shadowrend, whose black fur and menacing claws made him a terror to even the Darkspawn.

“Are we ready to disembark?” Argus asked as Harrow jotted down notes with ink and quill

“We should arrive at the settlement in a few moments” Harrow said packing away her notes, she was excited and trying to hide it, and failing at that badly

“Good we can get information from the locals and then begin our hunt, I suspect the Darkspawn won’t be hard to find on an island this small” Argus said with an optimistic grin

“Ha! Is suspect they’ve already got a welcome mat rolled out for us, and I’ll bet it says “welcome Argus Care to leap in our stew pot!” hehe!” Jarkka said with a chuckle

“I thought Dwarven nobles were meant to be stoic” Argus muttered

“And I thought all humans were meant to be lightheaded morons, I have a feeling my assumption has more proof then yours Ser!” Jarkka said letting out another chuckle

“Err...Commander...I think we have a problem” Lorick said in a worried voice, his painted face not hiding the fearful look in his eyes



As the Warship moved closer the reason for Lorick’s fear became obvious, smoke filled the town of Hollow Landing, and as the ship moved into the rickety wooden harbour the signs of destruction grew more obvious.

“Makers breath! What happened here?” Harrow exclaimed in shock

“Darkspawn” Lorick said grimly

“Looks like they raided the town, look” Argus said pointing to a trail of black ichor on the boardwalk

“What do we do now?” Jarkka asked in a businesslike voice, the dwarf was a veteran of the deep roads, Darkspawn raids were not going to strike him as anything new

“Search for survivors, and then get ready for a chase, we are going inland” Argus said leaping over the side

The commader vanished into the smoke and devastation of Hollow landing, the other Wardens stood watching for a brief moment, then Jarkka leapt over the side and the others followed suit, the hunt had begun and the Darkspawn had decided to start early.

[westiex9]

Author's note: Special Thanks to Gilgamesh and Slim Warden both Awesome Author's who encourage me to keep writing

This chapter serves two purposes, one is to explain the evolution of both the spurneds plans and the Wardens under Fiona and the other is to flesh out Grayson a little bit more.

Grayson is definatley not the most Heroic or Noble of Characters, he's mentally unstable and self-destructive at his worst, but perhaps in the Wardens he can find some form of redemption who knows

Also id like to give a brief mention of Lorick Tegrane, he's one of my earlier characters from some of my first fanfics, i like him so much he's going to have a role in Argus's saga as well, you might want to check out some of the earlier stuff i did on him if you want to get a better idea of who he is.

Modifié par westiex9, 16 juin 2010 - 03:25 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Ah westie! great job as always! Love your use of Avernus and his experiments. LOVE this!

[Slim Warden]

Really appreciate this story, I do love the tales of truly flawed individuals they usual hit you with the best plots.

[westiex9]

Chapter 4: Amongst the ruins

Argus raced through the small town of hollow landing as the buildings burnt and smoked, the Darkspawn had cleared the streets of bodies, had Grayson’s men not arrived this abduction might never have been discovered at all.

“Argus! Where are you going?” Harrow said trying to keep up with her commander as he rushed through the burning streets

Argus didn’t answer, he kept running, he could sense something coming from the chantry retreat and it called to him whispering in his blood, he ran up the dusty pathway leading to the old stone building, this ancient monastery had been carved out of the side of a cliff face by the original settlers of The Hollow Landing and as Argus reached its doors he noticed the bloodied handprints covering them.

Argus stopped and stared at the door with a suspicious eye, the Darkspawn had been here, but they didn’t usually go to this much effort to clear up bodies, Argus had seen the trails of burnt villages and mutilated bodies in Amaranthine, they weren’t just raiding the islands communities....they were harvesting them.

“Something is in there” Argus said as Harrow and the others caught up to him


“Yes I can sense it, weak but there” Jarkka said unshouldering his axe

The two doors leading into the monastery had been smashed open by some terrible force during the Darskspawn raid and as they entered the main hall they could see the pools of blood and the trails made as bodies were dragged away, the main hall was a vast stone room filled with pews and a large altar, the ancient cliff walls had been decorated into hand painted chantry images by the first settlers and as the Wardens filled the room Lorick strode up to the altar and stared up at them.

“This place was meant to be a sacred retreat for these Sisters” he said, his painted face filled with rage as he saw the overturned stand which had held the Chantry sermon book, he look down and saw that the sermons now lay rotting in a pool of sickly Darkspawn Ichor, Lorick’s dog Shadowrend stared up at its master with a look that seemed almost sympathetic, the Mabari could sense the anger in its masters face.

Lorick was a strange man, he had been raised an orphan in a fishing village on the Amaranthine coastline, he had developed a strong faith in the Maker and a soft spot for Chantry sisters, but despite his strong religious views he kept the company of members of other faiths without any difficulty, this sight must have boiled the Veteran warriors blood.

Argus saw the staircase carved into the halls far side and strode towards it, something was lingering in the rooms below and Argus intended to find out what, he gave Lorick a knowing look and the grizzled veteran composed himself, Lorick muttered something to his hound and moved down the stairs with Shadowrend trotting in front, Argus drew his sword and followed after Lorick.

“This place must be as old as Ostagar!” Harrow said as they navigated down the winding steps leading into the Monasteries lower levels  

“Close Harrow a few centuries off but close, this Monastery was founded a few decades after Andraste’s death by pilgrims, they came to this isle to spread the chant to the local tribes” Argus said remembering his Chantry lectures on the isle as a child, one of the sisters had used it as an example of the extent to which the Chantry would need to spread to bring about the Maker’s forgiveness, Argus had often thought the Maker a being with a habit of holding grudges far too long.

“Ha you humans are such an odd bunch, surely your maker can hear your awful singing from wherever he’s supposed to be sulking” Jarkka said with a grin

“Riiiiigggghhhttt the dwarf mocks our deity, at least we don’t worship rocks” Lorick said with a wicked grin

“And at least we don’t spend our time ambling about on the surface getting light headed and worshipping anything that happens to speak through Crazy barbarians!” Jarkka replied with a grin of his own

“Enough! There’s a door here, probably leads to the Sister’s quarters” Argus said opening the large door with a creak

The Wardens walked through the door and into a narrow corridor with cell doors either side, this was the austere place where the Hollow Landings sister’s slept, a chill ran through the hallway and Argus surmised that dwelling in home carved out of a cliff was not a luxurious existence, another stairway lit by a flickering torch stood at the end of the hall, Argus noticed the trail of blood, the handprints and lines of gore staining the ancient stone floor, someone had crawled down the stairs.

“Looks like someone managed to escape the Darkspawn, wonder if they’re still alive” Argus muttered moving down the hall, Harrow stared at the blood and gave a saddening shake of her head, it didn’t seem likely anyone could survive long after leaving so much blood in a trail behind them.

They walked down the second staircase and descended deep into the dark bowels of the ancient monastery, Argus having taken the torch from the wall walked in front of Lorick and his hound who seemed to scan the darkness at every turn or noise, they came to a final door a tall metal thing with skulls and a flaming sword engraved into it.

“Looks promising” Harrow said staring at the ominous door

Argus noticed the bloodied handle to the door and realised it was unlocked, someone had crawled into the room beyond this door, whether their reason had been to hide or to die remained to be seen. They strode through the door and walked down the stone steps, the tunnel floor was filled with a layer of thick mist that obscured everything not illuminated by the torch.

The Wardens moved through the tunnel for a few moments, then Loricks hound began to bark loudly, Argus turned Lorick who walked over to his dog and stared at something for a few moments without a word, the dog had found something placed inside the tunnel wall and as Argus brought his torch down he saw its desiccated hands.

“This tunnel, it’s a tomb!” Lorick muttered grimly before making a sign and holding his sword of mercy amulet to ward off evil

“I heard that the first Sisters on this island adopted the burial practices of the old tribes, but I never expected the rumours to be true” Argus said staring into the mummified face with a strange sense of fear, Andrastrians never buried or left their dead to rot, they burned their dead to prevent possession by horrors from beyond the veil, but the islanders had a long tradition of mummification, one that had not died with the arrival of the Chantry.

A low pained moan echoed through the Darkened tunnel and Argus ran ahead flanked by the other wardens, the tunnel soon opened up to reveal a darkened inner chamber filled with the long preserved corpses of Chantry sisters still in their decaying vestments, the centre of the room was filled by a large statue of Andraste and at its feet a wounded Sister lay her face resting on the statue base as she gripped her stomach, she was bleeding.

“Maker protect me! The Dark ones....they come to finish what they started” the wounded sister cried out in terror as Argus and the others approached

 “Were no Spawn Sister, just mortal men” Lorick said walking up to the wounded sister and kneeling beside her

“And yet your bear the same darkness as they, I can feel it, it’s in me too!” she said eyes wide with pain

“What happened here?” Argus asked as the sister struggled to sit up her head resting against the Statue, she was a middle aged woman and her face must have been beautiful in happier times, now it was too covered by expressions of fear and agony, her green eyes staring out with a pained gaze.

“They...came, they killed all who resisted and dragged the rest off into the shadows, I was run through when they burst inside during a Sermon...had to crawl down here....couldn’t let them take me!” she said with a weary voice

 “Taken? Where would the Darkspawn take them?” Harrow asked confused, she was after all used to hearing about systematic destruction not capture being committed by the Darkspawn

“Deep into the islands centre....deep into the blackness” The Sister moaned, she began to weep uncontrollably, she whispered a small desperate prayer under her strained breath, and whether it was for forgiveness or deliverance Argus couldn’t tell

Argus had often pondered the reason for prayer, he had always been told the maker gave man free will and watched from the distant horizons of eternity, and yet people still prayed to this distant god and pleaded, begged and screamed at him for salvation. Argus had sometimes thought that this was a sign of absolute terror, like calling out for ones mother when dark dreams enter the mind, a way to voice ones utter helplessness.

Argus remembered his first night with Alvera, they had made love in his quarters at the Vigil, the sun setting over the plains as they embraced, afterward they had lain in his bed talking, Argus had heard the sounds of prayer filling the chapel in the courtyard, he had muttered something cynically about the Maker not listening, Alvera had looked up at him and given him a disappointed look

“Prayer is not a sign of weakness Argus” She had said with a sad look

“Why else do men pray to the Maker? He is gone somewhere beyond our reach, surely he doesn’t still listen” Argus had replied with a scoff


“The Maker listen’s Argus, and he still acts in this world” She had said with a determined look


“How? I never saw a great bearded deity walking amongst us slaying Darkspawn, how many villagers prayers went unanswered when the Darkspawn ravaged Amaranthine” he had said irritably

“He acts through us Argus, every good person is an agent of the maker and a finger of his hand, we pray because we wish him to know we still believe in him, we pray because he inspires us and gives us strength and we pray because he has given the world good men...men like you...and even in death he hears us” she said with a look of such honesty that there could be no doubt she believed what she said, a blood mage who was devoted to the maker, this strange contradiction seemed to stir some kernel of faith inside Argus.

He had not questioned Prayer again after that day; Alvera’s words had given him an answer better than any Sister of the chantry, prayer was an appeal for justice, one that relied upon the decency of other living beings to be answered, there could be no better explanation, the maker was watching and he expected good and bad things from men.

Argus stared down at the weeping sister and felt a sudden surge of sympathy; he placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke in a gentle voice

“Sister I need you to tell me where to find these creatures, I will stop them and save the villagers...I just need to know where they dwell” he said sincerely

 She stared up at him with a suddenly hopeful look “The mounds of the old kings...Sister Mandy was working there...likely they caught her...but maybe she hid....find them there...save the others” The Sister said her face weak and pale

“Maker! I can feel their evil inside me, corrupting my very innards! Please Warden! End my pain!” she said her hand gripping his arm and her eyes looking up with an imploring expression

Argus stared down at the agony stricken Sister, he remembered Alvera’s talk of the maker acting through good men, perhaps she was right after all, and so he drew his dagger and held the Sister close, he thrust quickly and straight through her heart, she fell back gently her breath leaving her still warm body, Compared with a slow agonising death from the taint this was a deliverance.

“Rest well sister” Argus said gently laying down the Sisters body

Argus stood up and closed the eyes of the Sister’s corpse, he nodded to the others, Lorick said a quick prayer for the dead and Harrow simply stared at the ground with a thoughtful look, she had seen much darkness in the last few days, her initial enthusiasm seemingly gone. Jarkka simply sat in thinking man’s silence for a moment, perhaps contemplating death as well. A moment passed and then Argus spoke

“We are going inland, the Darkspawn are using the mounds as lairs, and I intend to drive them out, I’ve seen enough dead innocents!” he said striding out of the chamber and not looking back.

The others soon followed, Argus began to wonder about Alvera’s talk of good men, was he a good man? He considered his past actions and decided he was not, but he was trying to become one and that was a start, and so he led the way out of the Monastery, mind fixed firmly on the Salvation of the captured villagers, and his own self through them.
 
 
 

[Gilgamesh1138]

I really love Argus and all of his flaws. What a great character. westie, once again you leave me wanting more. Wonderful!

[Slim Warden]

Hello I'm Slim Warden, and I'd just like to say that that last chapter rocked my socks, the whole sequence between Argus and Alvera was class.

[westiex9]

Chapter 5: And the Cold Earth beckoned

Mandy Skeldon sat on the moss stained rock shivering and stared out at the mound covered highlands, her eyes darting back and forth trying to spot any mist clouded terror approaching her, the camp had been raided a week ago and the workers had all fled, Mandy knew whatever hunted them had long since taken the fleeing men and dragged them off into the shadows.

Mandy had hidden and by sheer luck been overlooked as the shadows in the camp chased after her doomed assistants, she had lived and spent the last week hiding on the mist covered highland and praying the creatures did not find her, many nights they had come very close.

But as she sat the sound of clanking fill her ears, her heart began to pound in her chest as if it would break through her ribs as she stared at the figure approaching from the mist flanked by three shadows, she decided her end was near anyway and picked up a large rock, she would be taken but she would make it an unpleasant task for whatever had come.

The Figure emerged from the mist and Mandy Skeldons rock flew down the hill and dinted off the approaching shadow's armour with an echoing clank, it was then that she saw the figure was a human male and his plate armour bore the griffon on its chest, Grey Wardens no less.

The man's companion arrived behind him, a Dwarf a human woman and a painted man with a brace of hounds stood at behind him, all staring up at Mandy with a curious almost questioning look

"Relax good woman, were not Darkspawn, though they too are out and about" the Man said grimly before marching up the hill to stand beside her

Darkspawn, Mandy had not wanted to believe the rumours that had spread across the island's sparse villages, but now the evidence was irrefutible, the things that stalked the dark highlands had been Darkspawn and they had dragged off her companions.

The revelation did no bring fear or horror, instead it made Sister Mandy's blood boil with irritation, She had come to Brandels reach four years ago to get away from the chaos of the mainland, to be far from Grey wardens and Darkspawn and anything else that brought destruction to the places it travelled.

Denerim, like every person in the land Mandy had a Denerim story, that horrific battle along with all the Ostagar's and South Reaches and lothering's was seared into the collective minds of the entire Kingdom, Mandy had seen her fairshare of Darkspawn and then some.

She had been a Sister at the Chantry in Denerim, subordinate to Sister Justine who shared her love of ancient history, the attack had ended her peaceful life there and she had spent an entire three nights in a darkened cellar while the world above burnt and vile things stalked the flame scorched ruins.

After Denerim the world had been a wounded place, Mandy remembered the horrors of the refugee camps scattered amongst the City ruins and the Upheaval as Loghain and his daughter were removed from Ferelden's day to day life by blade and shackle and the Wardens and their whipping boy king and red haired harridan of a Queen took power.

Mandy did not Hate the new order, at least not to begin with, but that had changed when having moved north she found herself crawling through the burning chaos of Amaranthine, the differance being that this time the flames had been human sent and not the work of Darkspawn, she knew deep down the Queen had really had little choice but to take this action, but it was hard to sympathise when you were the one on the receiving end of necessity.

Mandy had cursed her poor luck as she had escaped a second darkspawn infested ruin and fled, she had moved to the Monastery in Hollow landing months later, hoping that the remoteness of Brandel's reach would shelter her from anymore chaos or nightmares, she had devoted herself to the study of the Island's ruins deciding that given her penchant for wandering dead stone places she would be more then adept for the task of documenting the islands long dead chieftains.

For the first four years the island seemed to be immune to the madness of the mainland, and Mandy had lived free from fire or death and happily lost herself in the Islands remote inland mounds, but of course the rumours had begun as she approached her fourth year on the island, rumours of mutilated cattle and disappearing villages, Mandy had ignored them reasoning them to be idle superstitiona and ignorance, but once again she found herself stuck in a chaos strewn mess of Grey wardens and bloody Darkspawn! Mandy Cursed her foul luck silently, somewhere she suspected the Maker was laughing at his wicked sense of humour.

"You are Sister Mandy are you not?" Grayson asked as he stared at the shivering, yet oddly defiant looking Chantry sister before him

"Correct, i suspect you are some big Warden from the Mainland, why can't you bloody people leave me alone? and why can't you take your bloody Darkspawn with you!?" she said in a foul mood

"Hehe! this woman thinks like a Dwarf, My mother asks that same question whenever i head off into the roads to do some killing" Jarkka said with a grin

"You were studying the mounds out here, the Chantry sister at Hollow landing said you went missing" Harrow said with a concerned look

"Hollow Landing? you've been there? is everyone safe?" Mandy asked suddenly fearful of the possible answer

The Painted Warden, dropped the leash holding his dogs and instructed the mabari to be silent, walking towards her with his head low the painted man looked at her sadly

"Hollow Landing was raided, everyone was either taken or slain, im sorry sister.." Lorick said gently

Mandy had seen enough horrors up close to know the Darkspawn did not give mercy when they attacked a village, she processed the information without tears or screams, instead she grieved internally, she was saddened by her communities death but was too hardened to let it surprise her

"I know this is difficult to accept but we need you to lead us to the place you were camped" Grayson said with a calm tone

"Difficult Ser Warden? no not so..ive crawled out of two Darkspawn infested nightmares in my time and i am not about to do so a third time! ill lead you to the mound but only because i want to see you tear those Bastard creatures to bloody ribbons! they just took from me the only safe haven i have ever known...i intend to return that favour" Sister Mandy replied with a fierce glare

"Looks like we have a guide then...lead on Sister" Grayson said as a smile crossed his half scarred face

And So the Sister led them across the bleak and foreboding highland, straight into the heart of the Darkspawn, Grayson secretly felt uneasy, it was not the fear of Darkspawn that gripped him, instead it was the realization that the Voice called to him again

"Ah so another Pretty lass has caught your eye has she? are you going to let her lead you to the Spawn? are you going to watch when they take her from you? face it Grayson you are nothing but a callous destroyer, you kill anyone who gets too close, How many more will die because of you? How many more faces to haunt you at night haha!" 

Grayson Swore under his breath and walked on, the Darkspawn were going to die and he intended to make their ends bloody, after all blood letting might keep the voice silent, if only for a time.

End of Part 1 

[Slim Warden]

I do enjoy this story, and I'm eager to see what happens when they confront the Darkspawn, the build up to it is tense.

[Gilgamesh1138]

Okay I love this so much! Great job westie! I am so glad you are back.

[westiex9]

Chapter 5: And The Cold Earth Beckoned part 2

The initial fighting in the tunnels was bloody, but short, the Hurlocks were cut to ribbons by the warden's as they pressed deeper into the tunnels,the lower levels were all but deserted, Grayson suspected that the Hurlocks had been little more then a token diversion, whatever had dwelled here had long since fled.

"Just how deep do these tunnels go?" Grayson asked stepping over a crumpled hurlock body, the air began to grow cold as they descended deeper beneath the ground

"No one knows for sure, the rumours say that some mad king had vast tunnels dug beneath the ground before being buried here, some suspect he was trading with the dwarves..but no one has ever been this far inside" Mandy replied staring at the crude paintings on the tunnel walls, they depicted stunted figures offering gifts to a taller hunched being that must have been the mad king

Though the Darkspawn had either been slain or fled something still lingered, a tainted stench that filled the tunnels and burned at the nostrils of the Warden's as they travelled through the bowels of the old mound, the stench grew more fierce the closer they got to a large hall at the end of the tunnel 

"is that what i think it is?" Harrow said fearfully as a moan echoed from the chambers 

"stay here Sister this...will be ugly" Grayson said drawing his blade and motioning the others to follow 

They moved cautiously towards the unlit chamber, their weapons gripped tightly in hand, the moan began to twist into something else, long and maniacal laughter  and the sound of something writhing,wet and fleshy which filled the air with a sickly sound like worms crawling in the mud.

Grayson lifted his torch high as they moved into the chamber, the warden's boots made a squelching noise as they moved through the corruption strewn floor, something moved flickering in the torchlights shadow, suddenly something grabbed jarkka lifting him high and Grayson looked up and beheld the bloated horror of a Broodmother staring down at them.

"Get this sodding thing off me!!" Jarkka yelled swinging his axe madly as the tentacle began flinging him aroud

Harrow let out a scream and charged towards the beast, tearing into its side with her blade as its tentacles thrashed around the darkened room, Grayson ducked to avoid a low swinging feeler and moved towards the broodmother, Lorick meanwhile busied himself hacking at the tentacle holding Jarkka

"Maker this thing is too big!" Harrow yelled her face covered in gore as she plunged her blade deep into the beasts side again and again

The Creature howled and a tentacled smacked into Harrow sending her crashing into a nearby wall, Grayson moved forward calmly and pulled a small vial from his belt, he ducked to avoid another tentacle and hurled the vial at the broodmother's head, the glass shattering on impact and smearing a foul smelling substance on the equally foul creature

"Lorick pass me the torch!!" Grayson yelled as the mayhem filled the room around him

Lorick scooped up a fallen torch that was still burning and hurled it towards Grayson who caught it with a mailed hand,  he broke into a run and lapt onto the creatures back, climbing the hill of corpulent and corrupted flesh like a climber might scale a mountain,tentacles flew out trying to dislodge Grayson but he moved quickly and avoide them all

"Ive never been much for Chantry Sermons..but the one's about and Purification seem appropriate...so burn!!" Grayson yelled thrusting the burning torch at the monstrosities head

The flames began to spread unnaturally fast as they reacted with the substance in the vial and fire soon covered the broodmother and filled the air with the stench of roasting taint, the creature howled and flailed about maddened by pain as it entered its death throes, Grayson looked away as its screams filled the air, sounding vaguely human for the briefest of seconds.

"Ancestors what a stink! thats no Nug fry up thats for sure" Jarkka yelled over the sound of fire and screeching

"Maker forgive us" Lorick said kneeling to pray for the soul of the tainted victim

"did i miss much?" Harrow asked weakly as Grayson helped here up off the floor

"Not really, this isn't exactly entertaining stuff anyway" Grayson replied grimly

Mandy had by now entered the room and surprsingly did not recoil from the sight of burning darkspawn, she stared down at something and her eyes hardened momentarily

"Find something?" Grayson asked noticing her look of anger

Mandy didn't reply, she simply raised a small chantry pendant and pointed to the burning carcass in front of her, Grayson looked around and noticed for the first time other scraps of clothing, and bodies, their tainted husks rotting in the illuminated chamber

"Maker's Breath!" Lorick said staring at the piles of bodies that filled the chamber

"Looks like we found the villagers" Grayson said grimly

"There must be hundreds of them!" Harrow said horrified

The Fire continued to burn brightly and the tainted stench filled the air like a vile miasma, Grayson wondered for a moment what the Darkspawn could want with so many formerly live villagers, something was wrong, and Grayson knew there were still more Darkspawn unaccounted for.